Curtis to battle for Â£1m first prize

Open golf champion Ben Curtis has confirmed he will compete for the £1million first prize in the HSBC World Matchplay Championship at Wentworth next month.

The £2.3m event has been hit by the withdrawal of world No1 Tiger Woods, an absence of 'big name' stars and features Denmark's Thomas Bjorn as the only European in the 12-man line-up.

US Open winner Jim Furyk is a doubtful starter, US Masters champion Mike Weir may take a break in October and USPGA winner Shaun Micheel has expressed doubts about travelling.

But Curtis will definitely compete as he continues his hectic schedule since his shock victory at Royal St George's in July.

"It has been hectic, but a good hectic," said Curtis, who will partner Colin Montgomerie and Justin Rose in the first two rounds of the Lancome Trophy starting today at St Nom-la-Breteche near Versailles.